Pyrotechnic device for creating an overall effect consisting of individual effects

ABSTRACT

A pyrotechnic device for creating an overall effect consisting of individual effects includes: a) several tracer effect bodies, each having, i. an ignition element, and ii. at least one flare charge, and, b) an ignition control being connected with the ignition elements to ignite the tracer effect bodies, wherein said tracer effect bodies are arranged so that the ascending flare charges each create an individual effect of the overall effect, wherein the tracer effect bodies are disposed within a pyrotechnic article, and wherein said tracer effect bodies are arranged in the pyrotechnic article with different angles of inclination to one another.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority to German utility patent application number 10 2015 215 893.4 filed Aug. 20, 2015 titled “Pyrotechnic Device for Creating an Overall Effect Consisting of Individual Effects”. The subject matter of patent application number 10 2015 215 893.4 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND

To create a pyrotechnic overall effect, it is well-known to ignite so-called bombs which will burst after having reached a specific ascent height to create a two-dimensional effect. When ascending the bomb turns around its own axis along the trajectory. An orientation of the bomb is not possible. There is the risk that the effect created by the bomb may not be visible to the viewer during the burst owing to faulty orientation. Furthermore, in a fire picture, so-called Bengal lances are fixed at a frame. Such a frame can be ignited exclusively on the ground due to the net weight thereof.

Therefore, there exists a need to overcome the problems with the prior art, and more particularly for a more efficient way of utilizing pyrotechnics in the desired manner.

SUMMARY

A pyrotechnic device for creating an overall effect consisting of individual effects is provided. This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of disclosed concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description including the drawings provided. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter. Nor is this Summary intended to be used to limit the claimed subject matter's scope.

In one embodiment, a pyrotechnic device for creating an overall effect consisting of individual effects, comprises: a) several tracer effect bodies, each having, i. an ignition element, and ii. at least one flare charge, and, b) an ignition control being connected with the ignition elements to ignite the tracer effect bodies, wherein said tracer effect bodies are arranged so that the ascending flare charges each create an individual effect of the overall effect, wherein the tracer effect bodies are disposed within a pyrotechnic article, and wherein said tracer effect bodies are arranged in the pyrotechnic article with different angles of inclination to one another.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic lateral view of a pyrotechnic device according to a first exemplary embodiment with an overall effected created thereby;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional detailed view according to detail II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, cross-sectional detailed view of a tracer effect body of the pyrotechnic device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a front view of a pyrotechnic device according to a second exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a lateral view of the pyrotechnic device according to FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the pyrotechnic device according to FIG. 4; and

FIG. 7 is an exemplary representation of an overall effect which can be created using the pyrotechnic device according to FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the following description to refer to the same or similar elements. While embodiments may be described, modifications, adaptations, and other implementations are possible. For example, substitutions, additions, or modifications may be made to the elements illustrated in the drawings, and the methods described herein may be modified by substituting, reordering, or adding stages to the disclosed methods. Accordingly, the following detailed description does not limit the claimed subject matter. Instead, the proper scope of the claimed subject matter is defined by the appended claims.

It is an object of the claimed subject matter to enhance a pyrotechnic device for creating an overall effect consisting of individual effects. This object is attained by the claimed features. The gist of the claimed subject matter resides in the aspect that several tracer effect bodies, which leave a tracer while ascending, serve as individual effects to create an overall effect. The overall effect, for instance, is a graphic symbol, in particular a smiley or a heard. The overall effect, however, can also be a character, in particular a letter or a number. In particular, the overall effect can be a word composed of several letters, and in particular a writing or a multi-digit number. It is possible to create arbitrary graphic representations and symbols. The individual effects display individual scene elements, whereby the overall effect is an overall picture consisting of the individual scene elements. Due to the aspect that the individual effect is visible to the viewer as a scene element with a following tracer during the ascent of the tracer effect body, the overall effect is visible for a comparably long period of time. The tracer effect body can also be designed without a following tracer. In such an embodiment, the individual effect consists of the ascending scene element. The inventive pyrotechnic device is launched and is not confined to the use as a ground firework. The tracer effect bodies, as constituting a pyrotechnic device, are arranged with respect to one another in particular spatially in such a manner that the individual effects create the overall effect. Each tracer effect body has an ignition element and a flare charge, wherein the flare charge being ignited by the ignition element displays the scene element with the tracer. The pyrotechnic device comprises an ignition control to ignite, in particular in a temporally offset manner, the tracer effect body. Said ignition control is connected with the ignition elements of the tracer effect bodies. In particular, the orientation of the tracer effect bodies is not of relevance, since the tracer of the flare charge is visible to the viewer during the ascent independently of the orientation of the tracer effect body. The risk of a faulty picture is prevented. In particular, the tracer effect bodies are ignited with a temporal offset to ensure that the individual effects occur at different distances along the direction of ascent. Advantageously, the tracer effect bodies are fixed within a pyrotechnic article. It is particularly advantageous if the tracer effect bodies are disposed within the pyrotechnic article with different angles of inclination with respect to one another. This enables a direct and uncomplicated setting of the overall effect. The individual effects ascending with different angles of inclination, in particular with respect to a base (horizontal), create the overall effect, wherein the individual effects are temporally ignited in such a manner that they can be seen (sharply) with respect to the device with a predetermined equidistance. A pyrotechnic device in which the tracer effect bodies are arranged in a pyrotechnic article enables the combination of the tracer effect bodies so as to form one article. Such a pyrotechnic article corresponds to a so-called package which is placed on a base. In the package, the tracer effect bodies are fastened. It is not possible to remove the individual effect bodies from the pyrotechnic article without thereby causing damage to the pyrotechnic article.

A pyrotechnic device in which the tracer effect body has an ignition sleeve with a longitudinal axis ensures reliable and failsafe ignition. The ignition sleeve is embodied in particular hollow-cylindrically. Other hollow profile embodiments of the ignition sleeve are also conceivable. In particular, the ignition element and the flare charge are disposed within the ignition sleeve. The ignition sleeve shields the ignition element and the flare charge from weather influences, moisture and/or unintentional damage. For this purpose, it is particularly preferable to design the pyrotechnic device so that (in the mounted state) the ignition sleeve is oriented at an angle of 0° to 70°, in particular 15° to 45°, with respect to the horizontal. For this purpose, it is further particularly preferable to design the pyrotechnic device in such a manner that (in the mounted state) the ignition sleeves are oriented so that vertically oriented effects can be created. In the case of a vertically oriented effect, the flare bodies are vertically (perpendicularly) oriented in a plane in such a manner that, with respect to the position of the device, a picture appearing at the same distance from below and above is created. To this end, the lower ignition charges have to be charged less heavily than those for the upper part of the picture so as to create different flying times t up to a predetermined scene element.

A pyrotechnic device in which the mass and/or volume of the priming charge of at least two tracer effect bodies is/are set differently ensures a variably settable ascent height of the flare charge. In this way, the ascending overall effect can change its geometry during the ascent, in particular can stretch or shrink its contour. It is possible that the ascending overall effect extinguishes simultaneously with different ascent heights of the individual effects, i.e. in particular if the individual effects have each reached their respective ascent height. Due to the at least two tracer effect bodies with differently set priming charges, different flying times t of the individual flare charges can be created at a corresponding scene element in a vertical picture. The flying times t are determined essentially by the angle of the ignition sleeve relative to the horizontal.

The tracer effect bodies are fixed in particular in the housing for instance by means of bonding or mechanical retention means. Such a pyrotechnic article is failsafe, easy to handle and suitable for use in particular by pyrotechnically untrained end consumers. The tracer effect bodies are disposed in particular within a housing in the pyrotechnic article.

A pyrotechnic device in which the ignition control has a fuse which connects, in particular directly, two tracer effect bodies enables uncomplicated ignition.

A pyrotechnic device in which a fuse section of the fuse sets the temporal offset between two tracer effect bodies to be ignited in a temporally adjacent manner ensures direct and uncomplicated setting of the temporal sequence of the ascending tracer effect bodies.

A pyrotechnic device in which the fuse section is connected, in particular directly, with the ignition elements of the tracer effect bodies to be ignited is embodied in a failsafe manner.

A pyrotechnic device in which the tracer effect body, in particular the flare charge thereof, exhibits an ascent height of 70 m at a maximum, is easily visible to the viewer of the firework display.

Such a pyrotechnic device can also conform to the maximally admissible ascent height as stipulated in Class II for pyrotechnic articles. Pyrotechnic articles of Class II correspond to New Year's Eve firework articles and can be used by end consumers.

A pyrotechnic device can also feature a tracer effect body, the flare charge thereof having a lower ascent height of for instance 5 m to 15 m. Such a tracer effect body is designed in particular in the form of a Roman candle. A Roman candle is typically ignited while being held, i.e. in the hand.

Alternatively to the fixed arrangement of the tracer effect bodies in a pyrotechnic article the pyrotechnical device can be configured such that the tracer effect bodies can be arranged variably with respect to one another.

This means that the tracer effect bodies can be set variably. The pyrotechnic device does not constitute a uniform pyrotechnic article and is provided in particular for use by pyrotechnically trained professionals.

The pyrotechnic device can have several fixtures for respectively receiving a tracer effect body. Said fixtures can be attached to a frame. The frame enables reliable and failsafe arrangement of the pyrotechnic device, in particular on a base. The fixtures can be arranged at the frame in a spatially flexible manner. In particular, it is conceivable to change the spatial arrangement of the fixtures with respect to one another at the frame. In this way, it is possible to create different overall effects by the pyrotechnic device. In particular, it is not necessary to furnish all fixtures with a tracer effect body.

In the pyrotechnic device, the fixtures can be arranged in particular in a regular grid. For instance, the grid is a rectangular grid. The grid is designed in particular two-dimensionally. In particular, the fixtures are oriented in parallel to a base of the frame and in particular with identical angles of inclination to one another. The fixtures are essentially oriented vertically and in particular in parallel to one another.

The pyrotechnic device eliminates the need for a separate safety-related admission. Due to the aspect that the quantities to be retained can be arranged flexibly and variably, the pyrotechnic device as such does not constitute a single pyrotechnic article which requires separate CE approval according to the European Guidelines or approval by the Federal Institute for Material Research and Testing (BAM). Merely the tracer effect bodies as such do require CE approval. For creating the overall effect, the individual tracer effect bodies are combined by a pyrotechnically trained professional, whereby a new pyrotechnical article is not created.

In a pyrotechnic device in which the ignition control has an ignition unit, a central, in particular remote-controlled ignition of the pyrotechnic device is simplified. The ignition unit can be controlled in particular electrically. The ignition elements of the tracer effect bodies are connected in particular with electrical connection clamps. Said connection clamps can each be controlled individually by means of the ignition unit.

The pyrotechnic device, alternatively, can conform to Class IV for pyrotechnic articles which require pyrotechnical training in order to be allowed to be ignited in Germany.

Further advantageous embodiments, features and details of the claimed subject matter become apparent from the following description of two exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings, FIGS. 1 through 7.

A pyrotechnic device as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is embodied as a pyrotechnic article in the form of a firecracker. Said pyrotechnic article according to the illustrated embodiment is designed as a package. Basically, other forms of the pyrotechnic article are also possible.

The pyrotechnic article comprises a square-shaped housing 2 with a bottom 3 and lateral walls 4. The housing is open at the upper side which is opposed to the bottom 3. A removable lid (not shown) can be disposed at the upper side to protect the interior of the housing 2 for storage and/or transport purposes. Several tracer effect bodies 5 are fastened at the bottom 3. According to the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the tracer effect bodies 5 are bonded at the bottom 3. The tracer effect bodies 5 are designed essentially identically.

The tracer effect bodies 5 each have a cylindrical ignition sleeve 6. Said ignition sleeves 6 each have a longitudinal axis 7. The tracer effect bodies 5 are attached in the housing 2 with different angles of inclination of the respective longitudinal axis 7 relative to the bottom 3. In particular, the tracer effect bodies 5 have different angles of inclination with respect to one another. The angles of inclination with respect to the (horizontal) bottom 3 have an angle of 0° to 70°, in particular of 15° to 45°.

According to the illustrated exemplary embodiment, fourteen individual tracer effect bodies are arranged in the pyrotechnic device 1. In dependence on the overall effect to be created by means of the pyrotechnic device, more or less than fourteen tracer effect bodies 5 can be provided.

The tracer effect bodies 5 each have an ignition element 8 and a flare charge 9. The ignition elements 8 of the tracer effect bodies 5 are each connected with the ignition control. The ignition control serves for ignition of the tracer effect bodies 5 with a temporal offset. The ignition element is also referred to as propelling charge provided that it accelerates the flare charge 9 after ignition. The ignition element 8 can be correspondingly selected as a function of the extent of the desired acceleration. In particular, the charge is a black powder charge, the quantity thereof corresponding to the desired acceleration (and flying distance) of the flare charge 9.

The flare charge 9 is a so-called effective charge of a comet. After ignition of the flare charge 9 by means of the ignition element 8, the flare charge 9 causes a visual effect similar to a shooting star. The flare charge ascends along with an illuminated dot being disposed along the longitudinal axis 7 on the top, which is followed by a tracer.

The flare charge is constantly visible along the direction of ascent up to the maximum ascent height in the form of an illuminated dot and the tracer. The direction of ascent is set by the longitudinal axis 7 of the ignition sleeve 6. Due to gravitational influences on the ignition sleeve 6, the direction of ascent in sections can be parabolic.

Due to the high launching speed and the comparably smaller mass of the tracer effect bodies 5, the curvature of the direction of ascent essentially cannot be detected. This means that the direction of ascent essentially is shown as an extension of the longitudinal axis 7 of the ignition sleeve 6. This illuminated dot forms a scene element.

The tracer effect body 5 can be designed as a conventionally available comet known as such. The tracer effect body 5 alternatively can also be designed as a bombette in which a propellant charge is additionally provided, which is ignited with a defined temporal offset with respect to the flare charge 9.

The ascent height of the flare charge 8 is set as a function of the mass and the volume of the ignition elements 8. The larger the mass and/or the volume of the ignition elements 8 the larger is the ascent height. The tracer effect bodies 5 can also be different with respect to the mass and the volume of the ignition elements 8. Hence, it is possible to attain different ascent heights of the scene elements 21. In particular, it is also possible to identically set the mass and/or the volume of different ignition elements 8.

The timing control is designed as a fuse 10. Said fuse 10 each connects two tracer effect bodies 5 directly with one another. The fuse 10 has several fuse sections 11, wherein each fuse section 11 directly connects two tracer effect bodies which ignite in a temporally adjacent manner, in particular the ignition elements 8 thereof. By setting the length of the individual fuse sections 11, the temporal offset when igniting the tracer effect bodies 5 which are connected to each other via the fuse section 11 is set. Hence, a secure and failsafe ignition process is ensured. In particular, it is excluded that false handling by a user may result in an overall effect which may not be visible or which has an unaesthetic appearance.

In the following, the functionality of the pyrotechnic device 1 will be explained in greater detail. By igniting the ignition device, the tracer effect bodies 5 are sequentially ignited with a temporal offset due to the sequential connection of the same. By igniting the ignition elements 5, the flare charge 9 bursts out of the ignition sleeve 6 along the longitudinal axis 7. The ignition elements 5 propel the flare charge 9 out of the ignition sleeve 6 after ignition. Due to the different angles of inclination of the longitudinal axes 7 relative to the bottom 3 of the housing 2, the flare charges 9 burst out of the package into different directions. When ascending, the flare charges 9 on the tip thereof create an illuminated dot 21 and leave a tracer 22 behind them. The flare charges 9 being launched with a temporal offset and into different flying directions create an overall effect. This overall effect according to FIG. 1 is a heard contour which is outlined by the illuminated dots 21. The illuminated dots 21 display individual effects.

Hereinafter, a second exemplary embodiment of the claimed subject matter will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7. Construction-identical components will be furnished with the same reference numerals as that of the first exemplary embodiment, whereby reference is made to the specification thereof. Construction-different, however functionally identical components, will be furnished with the same reference numerals with a postposed a.

In the pyrotechnic device Ia the tracer effect bodies 5 are each disposed in a fixture 12 at a frame 13 being provided for this purpose. The frame 13 has a beam-shaped base 14 having fixtures 12 fastened at the upper side thereof. It is also conceivable that the base has a through shape, so that the fixtures are arranged in a depression being limited by a peripheral web so as to be slit with a downward offset.

The frame 13 has several supporting legs 15 for secure arrangement of the frame 13 on an underground. Said supporting legs 15 are tightly connected to the base 14. In particular, said supporting legs 15 are soldered to the base 14. The frame 13 is made of metal. However, other embodiments are also conceivable. The supporting legs 15 can be designed so as to be adjustable in height, in particular to compensate for irregularities in the ground where the frame 13 is to be mounted. Said supporting legs 15 can also have rollers to simplify transport of the frame.

The fixtures 12 according the illustrated exemplary embodiment are designed as V-shaped profile elements, wherein the longitudinal profile axis is arranged in parallel to the longitudinal axis 7 of the tracer effect bodies 5. By means of the V-shaped design of the fixture 12, tracer effect bodies 5 of different constructional sizes can be retained reliably. In particular, an outer diameter of the ignition sleeve 6 is not of relevance for a defined and reliable arrangement at the fixture 12. At the opening of the V, the fixture 12 has an additional retention element 16, which can be embodied, for instance, as a tape or a strap or a bracket. The retention element 16 prevents unintentional detachment of the tracer effect body 5 from the abutting position at the fixture 12. Unintentional tilting of the tracer effect body 5 is prevented.

The tracer effect bodies 5 are arranged at the frame 13 so that the longitudinal axes 7 thereby are oriented in parallel to one another and in particular vertically. The tracer effect bodies 5 can be arranged at the base 14, for instance along a row, as shown in FIG. 6. Said row arrangement corresponds to a regular one-dimensional grid. It is also conceivable to provide a two-dimensional, in particular regular grid for the arrangement of the fixtures 12 at the frame 13. The fixtures 12 can be variably set at the frame 13 by means of fastening elements which are not shown. For instance, it is conceivable to design the base 14 as a perforated board, into which the fixtures can be screwed in corresponding grid positions.

The ignition control has several electrically controllable connection clamps 17. Said connection clamps 17 are directly connected with the ignition elements 8. One connection clamp 17 is each provided for each tracer effect body 5. The connection clamps 17 are each connected with the ignition elements 8 by means of electrically conductive wire lines 18.

FIG. 7 shows in a simplified manner how an overall effect in the form of the letter Z can be created by means of the pyrotechnic device. By means of the aspect that the tracer effect bodies 5 with the longitudinal axes 7 are arranged in parallel to one another, it is possible to launch scene elements in parallel to one another. In order to be able to ignite several scene elements along a tracer 22, for instance several frames 13 can be arranged side-by-side. It is also conceivable to arrange the fixtures 12 at the frame 13 along a length direction 19 and along a width direction 20 so as to be offset with respect to one another, in particular so as to be disposed in several rows.

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. Pyrotechnic device for creating an overall effect consisting of individual effects, comprising: a) several tracer effect bodies, each having i. an ignition element, and ii. at least one flare charge, and b) an ignition control being connected with the ignition elements to ignite the tracer effect bodies, wherein said tracer effect bodies are arranged so that the ascending flare charges each create an individual effect of the overall effect, wherein the tracer effect bodies are disposed within a pyrotechnic article, and wherein said tracer effect bodies are arranged in the pyrotechnic article with different angles of inclination to one another.
 2. Pyrotechnic device according to claim 1, characterized in that the tracer effect body has an ignition sleeve with a longitudinal axis, wherein in particular the ignition element and the flare charge are disposed in the ignition sleeve.
 3. Pyrotechnic device according to claim 1, characterized in that the mass and/or volume of the ignition elements of at least two tracer effect bodies is/are set differently.
 4. Pyrotechnic device according to claim 1, characterized in that the tracer effect bodies are disposed within a housing in a pyrotechnic article.
 5. Pyrotechnic device according to claim 1, characterized in that the ignition control has a fuse which directly connects respectively two tracer effect bodies with one another.
 6. Pyrotechnic device according to claim 5, characterized in that a fuse section of the fuse sets the temporal offset between two tracer effect bodies to be ignited in a temporally adjacent manner.
 7. Pyrotechnic device according to claim 6, characterized in that the fuse section is connected with the ignition elements of the tracer effect bodies to be ignited.
 8. Pyrotechnic device according to claim 1, characterized in that the tracer effect bodies are designed so as to exhibit an ascent height of 70 m at a maximum.
 9. Pyrotechnic device according to claim 4, characterized in that the tracer effect bodies are designed so as to exhibit an ascent height in the range of 5 m to 15 m.
 10. Pyrotechnic device according to claim 1, characterized in that the tracer effect bodies can be disposed with respect to one another in a variably settable manner.
 11. Pyrotechnic device according to claim 10, characterized by several fixtures to respectively receive a tracer effect body.
 12. Pyrotechnic device according to claim 11, characterized in that the fixtures are disposed in a grid and are disposed in particular in parallel to one another.
 13. Pyrotechnic device according to claim 8, characterized in that the ignition control has an in particular electrically controllable ignition unit, wherein in particular the ignition elements are connected with electrical connection clamps which can each be controlled individually by means of the ignition unit. 